US Heading Towards Third Shutdown in Trump's Presidency

The Department of Homeland Security could be affected if Congress fails to fund the agency by Friday.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The United States is facing the prospect of a third partial government shutdown during former President Donald Trump's administration. The impending shutdown could impact the Department of Homeland Security if Congress does not approve funding for the agency by the end of this week.

Why it matters

Government shutdowns can have widespread consequences, disrupting federal services, impacting the economy, and eroding public trust in the political process. This potential shutdown would mark the third time during Trump's presidency that partisan gridlock in Congress has led to a lapse in government funding.

The details

CNN's Manu Raju reports that the Department of Homeland Security could be affected if Congress fails to approve funding for the agency by the end of this Friday. A partial government shutdown would mean that some federal agencies and services would be forced to scale back operations or temporarily close.

  • The current government funding is set to expire on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States whose administration has faced two previous government shutdowns.

Department of Homeland Security

A federal agency that could be impacted by the potential shutdown if Congress does not approve funding in time.

Congress

The legislative branch of the U.S. government, which is responsible for approving funding to keep the government operational.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of Homeland Security could be ensnared by a partial government shutdown if Congress does not fund the agency by the end of Friday.”

— Manu Raju, CNN Reporter (CNN)

What’s next

If Congress fails to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security by the end of this Friday, a partial government shutdown would begin, disrupting federal services and operations.

The takeaway

This potential third government shutdown during the Trump presidency highlights the ongoing partisan gridlock in Washington and the need for lawmakers to find a way to keep the government functioning, even in the face of political disagreements.